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SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 4:11:42 PM   
zz2b2


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 10/22/2003
From: New Orleans, LA,
Status: offline 		I'm thinking about making a SPAD this winter..there are so many neat designs in this forum. I think I have all I need in terms of engine, Rx(5chnls), servos, etc

My questions though :

I have a Futaba Skyport 4 (FS4) and fly a Wingo and e-glider with it. I notice SPADS also only need three channels but obviously in a different way. Can I hook up the FS4 to fly a SPAD? If so, what control connects to which servo?

And...how difficult (dangerous?) is it to go from a 3chnl Wingo to a SPAD? Any suggestions like the use of simulators. If so, is any freeware available and can I connect the FS4 to my PC?

thanks
       Post #: 1

RE: SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 4:21:01 PM   
zz2b2


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 10/22/2003
From: New Orleans, LA,
Status: offline 		I just noticed there are a lot of different SPAD designs... I was thinking of a Mugi type design with three controls: engine, left and right aileron.

(in reply to zz2b2)
       Post #: 2

RE: SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 6:41:25 PM   
sahoy


 

Posts: 38
Joined: 9/16/2003
From: Brownsburg, IN, USA
Status: offline 		Actually not all SPADs are 3 channel. You should be able to use your FS4. You need to get a receiver and servos to go along with it.

I think a veteran should chime in, but if you can fly a 3 channel plane, then going to a SPAD wont be a hard change. SPADs tend to be a bit heavier so you need to land a bit faster than you normaly would. I hadnt flown for years so I browsed the internet and found SPADs. I built a Debonaire and after a few hours of flight sim I went out with a friend that flys and put it up in the air. Its a 4 channel plane (rudder, elevator, ailerons and throttle). I dont think I could do with out ailerons now.

the flight sim I used was FMS http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html and you can download a few spads (i forget where) and try them out before you build and flight for real.

Hope this helps some. Just remember Im somewhat new to the spad thing myself.

here are a few pics of my 72" wingspan SPAD next to my NOT finished GNAT SPAD.

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(in reply to zz2b2)
       Post #: 3

RE: SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 7:24:08 PM   
Quicker



Posts: 688
Joined: 2/18/2003
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline
quote:

SPADs tend to be a bit heavier so you need to land a bit faster than you normaly would.


I'd be careful with general statements like this. My 55 inch span SpadStick FLOATS in on landing even though it's right around 7 pounds with the big MDS 68 on the nose. It will dead stick float forever.

An airplane is as heavy as you decide to make it. When scratch building it is easy to overbuild, which I end up doing a lot. Many times I've slapped in a piece of 1/2 inch ply because I didn't have any 1/4 inch around. That all adds up.

As Chris says too, PVC ain't the lightest stuff in the world. If you want to save weight, make the fuse from 4 mil coro.

As for the Mugi, or any other plane with elevons or a V tail. You need a radio with channel mixing, which your SkySport doesn't have. I have the Tower clone of the SkySport 6. I like the radio, but wanted to fly a Zagi, so I bought an evelvon mixer to plug into my receiver. I know FMA sells one. Go to the website and search for elevon mixer:

FMA direct

(in reply to zz2b2)
       Post #: 4

RE: SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 7:37:57 PM   
zz2b2


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 10/22/2003
From: New Orleans, LA,
Status: offline 		Thanks for the tips. Went on Google and found this URL for an elevon mixer circuit:

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/mixer.htm

Uses a few dollars worth of components. Has anyone tried this on an entry level Tx for a fixed wing spad?

(in reply to Quicker)
       Post #: 5

RE: SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 7:58:08 PM   
Quicker



Posts: 688
Joined: 2/18/2003
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline 		I almost built that exact circuit, but just didn't have the time. It was faster for me to buy one. If you build please post an update. I'd like to hear how it works.

(in reply to zz2b2)
       Post #: 6

RE: SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 8:14:13 PM   
novabill


 

Posts: 1773
Joined: 9/17/2003
From: Hudson, FL, USA
Status: offline 		zz2b2,

Go to www.spadtothebone.com scroll down the first page and you will find your filght sim and also the SPAD programs to download. I am not good with computers, so when you figure out how to put the SPADs into the sim, please give me detailed instructions.

WILLIAM

(in reply to zz2b2)
       Post #: 7

RE: SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 9:05:18 PM   
zz2b2


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 10/22/2003
From: New Orleans, LA,
Status: offline 		I downloaded FMS. Neat software. To use a specific spad model download the relavent zip file and unzip it. Then copy the unzipped files to the PROGRAM FILES\FMS\MODEL directory. When FMS is running, load the new model : click on MODEL>LOAD and point the spad model (file extension .PAR). Thats it.

(in reply to novabill)
       Post #: 8

RE: SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 9:54:24 PM   
zz2b2


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 10/22/2003
From: New Orleans, LA,
Status: offline 		I just ordered an $11 elevon mixer kit for my future Mugi here:

http://www.bill-tek.com/products.htm

Anybody try one of these on their delta wing, Mugi, etc?

(in reply to Quicker)
       Post #: 9

RE: SPAD radio - 10/23/2003 10:20:45 PM   
novabill


 

Posts: 1773
Joined: 9/17/2003
From: Hudson, FL, USA
Status: offline 		I see said the blind man

Try the phor, it's a ball

Thanks
WILLIAM

(in reply to zz2b2)
       Post #: 10

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